Art is a dime a dozen in Berlin, and exciting, rotating exhibitions can be discovered all year round. But where can you admire contemporary art in a truly extraordinary setting ? One such place is KINDL—Center for Contemporary Art, located in a former brewery complex in the Rollberg neighborhood of Berlin-Neukölln.
KINDL is not an ordinary gallery, but a monumental former brewery dating from the 1920s. Since 2016, the historic building complex has been permanently used as an exhibition space for international contemporary art. Today, it is a place where listed industrial architecture, huge historic brewing kettles, and modern art come together . KINDL sees itself not only as an exhibition space but also as a venue for the creation and discussion of contemporary art. In total, more than 1,600 square meters of exhibition space are available. On display are, among other things, installations, sculptures, paintings, and video works, as well as solo and group exhibitions by international artists.
The site’s history dates back to the 19th century. As early as 1872, a group of Berlin restaurateurs founded the “Vereinsbrauerei Berliner Gastwirte zu Berlin AG” in Rixdorf, now known as Neukölln. This later evolved into the well-known Berlin Kindl Brewery. The building complex, which has been preserved and is now a historic landmark, was constructed between 1926 and 1930 according to plans by architects Hans Claus and Richard Schepke. The monumental industrial building is classified architecturally as Expressionist, and its striking brick architecture continues to define the site to this day.
One of the most spectacular features of the former brewery is located in the historic brewhouse. Six massive copper brewing kettles still stand there today. According to KINDL, at the time of their construction, they were even considered the largest brewing kettles in Europe. The imposing brewhouse was accordingly dubbed the “Palace of Berlin Beer Culture” back then. The massive copper kettles have been preserved and are now among the most striking remnants of the building’s industrial past. As a result, the original function of today’s art venue remains immediately recognizable even nearly 100 years after its construction.
The architecture itself also tells a piece of Berlin’s history. The brewhouse was partially destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in the early 1950s. Architect Gerhard Fritsche, who became particularly well-known for his movie theater designs and was also involved in the Berlin Zoo Palast, among other projects, was responsible for the reconstruction. As a result, today’s KINDL brings together several architectural eras. The site features a blend of Expressionist industrial architecture from the late 1920s, elements from the postwar period, and modern additions from the 21st century.
